a dubious one

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dubious one" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is questionable, uncertain, or not to be trusted. Example: "The evidence presented in the case was a dubious one, leading to further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

One of the pleasures of the film (albeit probably a dubious one) is its lack of moralising.

Independent

As landmarks go, the Moskva Hotel has always been a dubious one.

The New York Times

With America's regulators in a tizzy, this is a selling point, though a dubious one for something with the grand new name of the National Stock Exchange.

The Economist

But the fact that a female soccer player was deemed worthy of NFL-level outrage was something of a milestone, even if a dubious one.

The Guardian - Sport

Burnley's reward for beating Chelsea in the Carling Cup is a dubious one: a home tie against Arsenal's scintillating youngsters in the quarter-final.

The Guardian - Sport

Her reward was a dubious one: Capriati will play for the title today against Serena Williams, who has not lost a match this year.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

In South Africa's win over Guatemala, Chaibou awarded three penalties, all for handball and all dubious: one, two, three.

The Guardian - Sport

Studies show that the very same people, with the very same genes, are subject to higher rates of cancer, along with other chronic diseases, when they leave a healthy, native lifestyle behind, and adopt a more dubious one.

Huffington Post

Religion is a "meme," Deutsch argues, borrowing Richard Dawkins's term, and a rather dubious one at that, not least because religious leaders have often objected to the study of infinity based on something Deutsch calls the Principle of Mediocrity.

The New York Times - Books

(And in some circles a very dubious one).

Huffington Post

Now, it is set to become an icon of the new Moscow -- an equally dubious one, in the minds of many here.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a dubious one", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being questioned or doubted. Provide supporting information or context to explain the reason for the skepticism.

Common error

Avoid using "a dubious one" without providing specific reasons for the doubt or uncertainty. Overuse can weaken your argument. Instead, clarify why the subject is questionable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dubious one" functions as a nominal phrase, acting as a subject complement or object complement. It serves to characterize a noun as questionable or uncertain. Ludwig provides examples of how this phrase is used to qualify various entities, from arguments to claims.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dubious one" is a phrase used to describe something questionable or uncertain. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news, science, and other contexts. While versatile, it's best to provide context to ensure clarity. Consider alternatives like "a questionable one" or "a suspect one" depending on the desired nuance. Remember to avoid overuse without proper justification, as Ludwig AI affirms its validity and relevance in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a questionable one

Replaces 'dubious' with 'questionable', suggesting something is open to doubt or challenge.

a suspect one

Uses 'suspect' instead of 'dubious', implying something raises suspicion or mistrust.

a doubtful one

Substitutes 'dubious' with 'doubtful', indicating uncertainty or lack of conviction.

a problematic one

Replaces 'dubious' with 'problematic', highlighting the potential issues or difficulties associated with something.

a challengeable one

Replaces 'dubious' with 'challengeable', underlining the vulnerability to criticism or opposition.

an uncertain one

Uses 'uncertain' instead of 'dubious', indicating a lack of definiteness or reliability.

a precarious one

Replaces 'dubious' with 'precarious', emphasizing the instability or riskiness of something.

a shaky one

Substitutes 'dubious' with 'shaky', implying a lack of solidity or strength.

a tenuous one

Replaces 'dubious' with 'tenuous', highlighting the fragility or weakness of something.

a flimsy one

Replaces 'dubious' with 'flimsy', emphasizing the lack of substance or credibility of something.

FAQs

How can I use "a dubious one" in a sentence?

Use "a dubious one" to describe something that is questionable or uncertain. For example: "The evidence presented was "a dubious one", requiring further investigation."

What's the difference between "a dubious one" and "a questionable one"?

While both phrases indicate uncertainty, "a dubious one" implies a stronger sense of skepticism or mistrust, whereas "a questionable one" simply suggests something is open to debate or inquiry.

Are there formal alternatives to "a dubious one"?

Yes, in formal contexts, you can use phrases like "a suspect one" or "a problematic one" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

When is it appropriate to use "a dubious one" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "a dubious one" when you want to express doubt or uncertainty about the validity, reliability, or truthfulness of something, but be sure to give enough context.